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Two-time Olympic gold medalist Cathy Ferguson, who has lived in Clovis the past eight years, goes down memory lane 52 years to when she set a world record. Ferguson won gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke and with the U.S. women's 400-meter medley relay team in 1964 from Tokyo. -- Bryant-Jon Anteola Bryant-Jon AnteolaThe Fresno Bee

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Cathy Ferguson, who has lived in Clovis the past eight years, goes down memory lane 52 years to when she set a world record. Ferguson won gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke and with the U.S. women's 400-meter medley relay team in 1964 from Tokyo. -- Bryant-Jon Anteola Bryant-Jon AnteolaThe Fresno Bee

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Every four years during every Summer Olympics, Ferguson, now 68, travels back in her mind to the most joyous but admittedly most confusing time of her life.

Every four years during the Summer Games, Ferguson – now 68, living in Clovis and chief executive of the region’s Girl Scouts – travels back to a moment that was both the most joyous and confusing of her life.

“That is a really tough time,” Ferguson says, oddly enough while sitting in her Fresno office decorated with Olympic memorabilia.

“You’re getting your award and the people are cheering and everybody’s happy. But I’ve really lost something. I’ve lost a goal. What do I do now?”

What’s left to chase when you’re already the best?

Ferguson lost her drive to defend her crown at the 1968 Games and was ready to get out of the pool for good.

1:07.7 Then-world-record time for Cathy Ferguson in winning the 100-meter backstroke at the ’64 Games

“There comes a time when you know you can’t win anymore,” Ferguson says. “And when that time comes, it’s really hard to say goodbye.”

Psychologists refer to the struggle as one centered around “athletic identity” – when personal identity and self worth are tied strongly to performance.

In Ferguson’s case, she thought, who was she without the gold medals and world record?

Ferguson says one area the United States still lags compared to other countries is “detraining” its athletes: “Helping athletes move past their successes and onto what they can do with the rest of their lives.”

Girl Scouts executive

With help from teachers, coaches, family and friends, Ferguson eventually found new achievements to chase – lofty goals that would require her intense preparation and focus. She went on to earn a doctorate in education, taught as a university professor and eventually turned to nonprofit work, which led her to the Fresno area.

In between, she found time to return to the pool to coach and reconnect with the Olympics. Ferguson served as president of the Southern California Olympians to help athletes adjust to life after the Games. She took part in the Olympic Torch Relay for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

“Once you’re an Olympian,” she says, “you’re always an Olympian.”

Coached Katie Ledecky’s mom

She’s even connected to this year’s Rio Games.

In the 1970s, when Ferguson taught and coached at University of Great Falls in Montana, she crossed paths with a young swimmer named Mary Gen Hagan.

Or as she’s known today, Mary Gen Ledecky, the mother of Team USA headliner Katie Ledecky.

“She’s a true champion; you really have to watch her,” Ferguson says of Ledecky, who has won three golds in Rio. “She’s such a cool gal.”

The youngest of Ferguson’s three daughters almost made the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Allison Brennan was an alternate after finishing third at the U.S. Trials.

It’s so much more than that gold medal. It really makes a statement in your life about, one, who you are, what you had to go through, and the lesson that you learned.

From Central California and back: Born in Stockton but grew up in Burbank; earned doctorate in education from U.S. International; taught as college professor; moved to Clovis in 2008 for current job as CEO for Girls Scouts of Central California South Council

Family: Husband Greg Panten and daughters Catie, Kellie and Allison

What she thinks of the Valley: “It’s my home. Everyone here is so nice.”

Ferguson’s medals today: Originals were lost when her parents’ house was robbed in the ’70s, but she received replacements from Japan and now stores them in an undisclosed location.